Device for Communicating with a Voice-Disabled Person

Abstract

The present invention provides a device for communicating with a voice-disabled person. The device includes, generally, a housing, a plurality of means for receiving physical input, each physical input receiving means generating a specified response signal upon being physically manipulated, a display means, and means for receiving the response signals and converting the response signals into a corresponding visual representation on the display means.

1 . A hand-held communication device comprising:
 a housing comprising a first and second side;   a plurality of means for receiving physical input, each physical input receiving means generating a specified response signal upon being physically manipulated;   a display means comprising a first and second side; and   means for receiving the response signals and converting the response signals into a corresponding visual representation on the display means.   
   
   
       2 . The hand-held communication device of  claim 1  wherein the means for receiving physical input comprises a key pad comprising one or more keys. 
   
   
       3 . The hand-held communication device of  claim 2  wherein the key pad is located on the first side of the housing. 
   
   
       4 . The hand-held communication device of  claim 3  wherein a second key pad is located on the second side of the housing. 
   
   
       5 . The hand-held communication device of  claim 1  wherein the display means is a display screen. 
   
   
       6 . The hand-held communication device of  claim 5  wherein the display screen is pivotally mounted to the housing. 
   
   
       7 . The hand-held communication device of  claim 1  wherein the display screen is an LCD screen. 
   
   
       8 . The hand-held communication device of  claim 5  wherein the display screen displays visual representations on the first and second side. 
   
   
       9 . The hand-held communication device of  claim 1  wherein the means for receiving the response signals and converting the response signals into a corresponding visual representation on the display means comprises electronic circuitry. 
   
   
       10 . The hand-held communication device of  claim 9  wherein the electronic circuitry is computer controlled. 
   
   
       11 . The hand-held communication device of  claim 1  wherein the keys of the key pad comprise a descriptive word, phrase, or picture printed onto at least one surface thereof. 
   
   
       12 . The hand-held communication device of  claim 11  wherein the key pad comprises a key for each letter of the alphabet and/or a key for numerals 0 to 9. 
   
   
       13 . The hand-held communication device of  claim 11  wherein the key pad comprises a descriptive word, phrase, or picture selected from the group consisting of: doctor, nurse, hot, cold, “what day is it?”, up, down, hungry, thirsty, family, turn, bed, chair, toilet, sit, bath, “what time is it?”, sleep, sick, TV, dizzy, book, pillow, yes, no, on, off, “where am I?”, glasses, lotion, hairbrush, light, cannot breath, paper and pencil, or any combination thereof. 
   
   
       14 . The hand-held communication device of  claim 11  wherein the key pad comprises a key for each letter of the alphabet, a key for numerals 0 to 9, or a descriptive word, phrase, or picture selected from the group consisting of: doctor, nurse, hot, cold, “what day is it?”, up, down, hungry, thirsty, family, turn, bed, chair, toilet, sit, bath, “what time is it?”, sleep, sick, TV, dizzy, book, pillow, yes, no, on, off, “where am I?”, glasses, lotion, hairbrush, light, cannot breath, paper and pencil, or any combination thereof. 
   
   
       15 . The hand-held communication device of  claim 1  wherein the second side of the housing further comprises a pain indicator. 
   
   
       16 . The hand-held communication device of  claim 1  wherein the housing further comprises a battery compartment. 
   
   
       17 . The hand-held communication device of  claim 16  wherein the housing further comprises a battery level indicator. 
   
   
       18 . The hand-held communication device of  claim 1  in combination with a recharging station.